THE JOURNAL
Messrs Miles Teller and Jonah Hill in War Dogs. Photograph courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The book, film, TV series, sporting event and festival you need to check out before summer is officially done.
If you're the type who wants to eke out his summer for as long as possible, you still have to know when to quit. It's usually around the time you start feeling a perpetual chill around your bare knees, or realise that the sun has been behind that cloud for a long, long time and your sunglasses are officially impossible to justify. But until that sad day comes, we've collated a smattering of cultural activities from around the world to see you through the month and help you pretend that maybe, this time, the summer really won't end (and if you're reading this in the Southern Hemisphere, try not to gloat).
THE BOOK
Bright, Precious Days by Mr Jay McInerney (out now)
What better way to celebrate late summer days than to rejoin the characters of New York novelist Mr Jay McInerney’s 1992 novel Brightness Falls and 2006’s The Good Life as they experience theirs. Golden socialite couple Ms Corrine and Mr Russell Calloway are now in their fifties; older, certainly, but wisdom is harder won.
THE FILM
Messrs Jeremy Tardy, Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as David in War Dogs. Photograph courtesy of Warner Bros
War Dogs (out on 26 August)
In the latest movie from The Hangover director Mr Todd Phillips, Messrs Miles Teller and Jonah Hill star as a couple of stoner pals who somehow end up dealing arms to the Afghan National Army. It’s a story too ridiculous to be true, and yet it is – the idea came from a 2011 article in Rolling Stone.
THE PLAY
The Entertainer (previews from 20 August)
When Mr John Osborne’s play about fading music-hall star Archie Rice was first performed in 1957, it starred no less than Mr Laurence Olivier in the lead role. For his company’s revival of the play at London’s Garrick Theatre Sir Kenneth Branagh had to work out who could follow Larry – luckily he knew just the man (himself).
THE SPORTING EVENT
Mr Novak Djokovic playing Mr Roger Federer in the men's singles final of the 2015 US Open. Photograph by Mr Al Bello/Getty Images
US Open (29 August to 11 September)
As the final tennis grand slam of the season approaches, there are so many questions remaining. Will Ms Serena Williams beat Ms Steffi Graf’s grand-slam record? Can Mr Andy Murray capitalise on his Olympic gold? What the hell is wrong with Mr Novak Djokovic? The answers will be revealed at Flushing Meadows next Monday.
THE FILM FESTIVAL
Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival (Now until 30 August)
The summer iteration of Hong Kong’s prestigious film festival is now in full swing, but there are lots of tempting screenings coming up, including controversial recent works by Mr Paul Verhoeven (Elle) and Mr Terrence Malick (Knight Of Cups). Our pick, though, is beautifully quiet coming-of-age drama De Lan from Chinese director Mr Liu Jie on Friday.
THE ALBUM
and the Anonymous Nobody… by De La Soul (out on 26 August)
If you Kickstarted De La Soul’s eighth studio album and helped them bag almost six times their target, then now you can reap your reward (unless you were the funder who won dinner with the band at the Red Rooster in Harlem). The all-star guests include Messrs Damon Albarn and David Byrne.
THE SERIES
Messrs Shameik Moore and Justice Smith in The Get Down. Photograph courtesy of Netflix
The Get Down (available now on Netflix)
In case you hadn’t yet got down to watching Mr Baz Luhrman’s much talked-about hip-hop genesis drama set in the South Bronx in 1977 (as if our feature before it came out wasn’t enough), we invite you to the floor (OK, the sofa) once again. As you would expect there’s glitz, gloss and a killer soundtrack, though Mr Justice Smith as wannabe MC Ezekiel Figuero gives the show heart. We won’t tell you again.
THE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Rock en Seine (26-28 August)
If the days seem to be shortening and your festival itch has yet to be scratched, what better way to do it than at this not-too-far-from-Paris festival with main stage headliners including The Last Shadow Puppets and Massive Attack, while Sigur Rós, Soulwax and Peaches do the honours on the smaller stages.
THE DOCUMENTARY
Behind the scenes shot from Gary Numan: Android In La La Land. Photograph by Mr Steve Read/Android In La La Land
Gary Numan: Android In La La Land (in cinemas on 26 August)
There’s something irresistible about the rock star trajectory – the giddy rise, the almost inevitable unraveling, the clawed comeback. This sweetly charming documentary looks at the British electro star of the 1980s – now in his late fifties but still rocking the guyliner, as Mr Numan and his family set up a new life in Los Angeles.
THE LITERARY FESTIVAL
Melbourne Writers Festival (26 August to 4 September)
Mr Geoff Dyer, Ms Eimear McBride and 2014 Man Booker Prize-winner Mr Richard Flanagan are among the literary attendees at the annual 10-day book fest, which also features practical talks on editing, reviewing and memoir writing for those with an urge to put pen to paper – or more likely, fingers to keyboard.